Common Sense Media Review
By Stephanie Snyder
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Fun sequel emphasizes friendship, sharing, and acceptance.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 4+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In CORNBREAD & POPPY AT THE CARNIVAL, Cornbread, a risk-averse type who finds comfort in the familiar, and Poppy, an adventure seeker who loves to take risks, return for another tale of friendship. The carnival is in town, and Poppy persuades Cornbread to go. As Cornbread faces his fears, he learns that he can have fun when he tries new things. Just as their perfect day is about to end, a surprise object creates conflict between the friends. Will their friendship survive the argument?
Is It Any Good?
Young readers will fall in love with the expanding Cornbread & Poppy series, especially as they grow as independent readers. Reminiscent of classic early readers like the Frog and Toad books, Cornbread & Poppy at the Carnival emphasizes important ideals about friendship -- like opposites attract and sharing is caring -- and does so through characters that young readers will relate to and root for.
The conflict that emerges in the third chapter, however, seems unrelated to the story and makes the ending feel a bit random. Up to that point, readers were likely expecting the story to climax with a conflict that seemed to be developing all along: While Poppy is more excited about the carnival, Cornbread seems to have a more thrilling time, causing what could be perceived (or could have been developed as) feelings of jealousy from Poppy. Nevertheless, the peanut conflict, and the story as a whole, will give families plenty to discuss as they await another book in the series.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about friendship in Cornbread & Poppy at the Carnival. What makes Cornbread a good friend? What makes Poppy a good friend? Is it possible for two very different personalities to be great friends?
Why do Cornbread and Poppy fight over the peanut? Do you know any better ways to make your point than yelling and screaming? How do Cornbread and Poppy resolve their conflict?
Have you ever been to a carnival? What's your favorite activity at a carnival? What treats do you like to eat at a carnival?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Matthew Cordell
- Genre : For Beginning Readers
- Topics : Adventures , Book Characters , Animals , Friendship
- Character Strengths : Communication , Compassion , Teamwork
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Little, Brown and Company
- Publication date : June 21, 2022
- Number of pages : 80
- Available on : Paperback, Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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